New places to try.

[jimim]

We didn't get to Disney this past year. So this coming November will be our first trip back in over a year.

We need 9 nights of dinners. We have 2 kids with us, but that doesn't matter. Their only request is Cindy castle for dinner 1 night. Not the best but they like it and we still enjoy the experience cause we have just done it each trip since having kids.

Our usual standbys are:

1. Paradiso 57 - always the first night for some reason cause we usually meet up with friends here. Any ideas for a replacement for something new downtown?

2. Yachtsman always
3. Jiko always
4. Flying Fish always - how is it since reopening?
5. Narcoossee's always

6. Il Mulino last trip for the first time and it was really good. We were surprised.
7. Morimoto was really really good also last trip
8. Trattoria al Forno 2nd time last trip and enjoyed it.

9. California Grill - ok i'm going to get roasted for this but we ate there 2 times trip before kids for 10 years. Then they redid it. Went there as usual and it was horrible. 10 out of 11 people hated it. I have read mixed things since one the years. Worth throwing it back in?

10. Artist Point used to always go there when we stayed at WL but now that we like AKL so much we don't venture over.

11. We don't do a lot of lunch. We r usually back to the rom to swim and chill by then so we can go back in after a nice dinner for the night. But when we do lunch we really like:

1. BOG for lunch only. no t dinner
2. Flame Tree has been hit and miss since the reopen.
3. We really really like the Harambe market Beef and the flatbread

That's about it for lunch.

So Dinner new finds? There seems to be a ton of new places downtown? how are some of them. what do you all like at them?

I know al the older places in the hotels, so not looking for ideas on those unless they have made a big turn in the bast 2 years or so.

I know food is subjective. But we never thought we would like Trattoria or Paradico but we do. I get the same thing all the time at both places. Same with my wife so maybe that's why. I don't know.

Thanks! Been off the board for a while cause it was depressing reading about everyones upcoming trips and we were home, but that's over now. lol

Happy new year!

jimi

 

[holden]

Tiffins and Nomad Lounge are both excellent!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Most feedback I've encountered is that Flying Fish is not nearly as good since re-opening. The decor is less themed and most folks don't seem to like the menu as much.

For a new place at Disney Springs, I'd try Edison.

IMHO California Grill costs a lot for what you get, so I'd skip it if undecided.

Skipper Canteen is great for lunch or dinner.

I'd also include Boma, and even more so since it looks like you may be staying at AKL (but I'd even make a trip to AKL just to eat at Boma).

 

[Fantasia79]

That a lot of great places!

I really enjoyed M. Paul a few years back.

Via Napoli, esp for lunch is a pleasant surprise.

Ohana is a MUST!

Boma breakfast is simply amazing.

Went for character dining for my daughter with very low expectations and was quite pleased, Garden Grill.

My short list not on yours: tiffiins, citricos, homecomin

 

[sgjordan]

Sanaa and Tiffins are both great places to try!

 

[sleepydog25]

Sanaa (if you haven't been)
Tiffin's
Morimoto Asia (which you mention)
BiCE (at Portofino Resort at Universal--we really enjoy Il Mulino's, but BiCE is better)

 

[softball chick]

For Disney Springs options, the favorite of my family is Raglan Road. The food is really good and the entertainment during dinner is tons of fun (Irish bands play sets throughout the night and there are Irish dancers that come out every so often to dance along).

Flame Tree BBQ is another favorite of ours, but we don't go for the traditional entrees for lunch. My sister and I each get an order of the Pork Cheese Fries and it is enough for a solid lunch for us. Plus its cheaper and so incredibly tasty.

Liberty Tree Tavern in MK is a great family style meal. We've only done lunch, but I believe dinner is exactly the same. Think Thanksgiving dinner, but with more meat options and the most incredible dessert I've had at Disney. I'm counting down the days until I get to go back there in February because I'm craving it so badly.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

pening

Most feedback I've encountered is that Flying Fish is not nearly as good since re-opening. The decor is less themed and most folks don't seem to like the menu as much.

I couldn't disagree more. The decor is beautiful and very upscale, especially compared to the previous very casual decor.
The food is also quite good, and more upscale. They really turned it into a signature restaurant. Before the menu was also quite casual.
The favorite dishes that people went back for year after year are gone, and so many people have no reason to go anymore.
I understand that, but the restaurant itself is NOT "Flying Fish is not nearly as good since re-opening". The food is better, the decor beautiful, and everything more upscale. A true Signature restaurant.

 

[arminnie]

I had one of the best meals of my life at Flying Fish. But the current menu and prices do not inspire me to go back. Not that it is not still really good. But as I now live in New Orleans and have fabulous food available to me at a much lower price. And the current menu is not anything I cannot get elsewhere.

 

[ncc1701]

In Disney Springs we enjoyed Homecomin and The Boathouse. Polite Pig was good too but it is a QS.We do flatbreads and salad for lunch at Mama Melrose on our DHS day.

 

[bluejasmine]

I am thinking we will try Blaze Pizza or D luxe burger the day before we check into WDW, and either Homecoming or Morimoto for dinner we haven't been to all four places Ive mentioned
We are trying Rose and Crown for first time.

 

[OneinThree]

Not sure about what you're dealing with for transportation, but for new experiences, don't discount some of the off-property restaurants which often offer better quality and service at a better value. We had lived in the Southwest Orlando area for well over 10 years, during which time we watched the local culinary scene really blossom in areas just 10 minutes away.

 

[jimim]

Thanks everyone!

I had read about homecoming and polite pig. We will have to check those out for lunch time.

I totally forgot about Tiffins. We haven't been there since last summer so it wasn't open yet. Thanks for reminding me.

Re: Flying fish and Cal Grill. I think I'm going to flip a coin and try which comes up. If Cal Grill does and we don't like it again after the years ago redo it is dead to us cause that will be strike 2. If Flying Fish we will go and see what we think and go from there.

We don't do breakfast so Boma is out. I have heard its awesome. We have gone to Sanaa for lunch and dinner in the past. Liked it. Haven't gone back cause we like Jiko so much. But maybe we will have to try it again.

I'm going to wait and see what people think about Edison. It just opened so who know how it will be.

We have been to D Luxe burger around here. It was ok. Nothing to write home about.

jim

 

[Dug720]

Thanks everyone!

I had read about homecoming and polite pig. We will have to check those out for lunch time.

I totally forgot about Tiffins. We haven't been there since last summer so it wasn't open yet. Thanks for reminding me.

Re: Flying fish and Cal Grill. I think I'm going to flip a coin and try which comes up. If Cal Grill does and we don't like it again after the years ago redo it is dead to us cause that will be strike 2. If Flying Fish we will go and see what we think and go from there.

We don't do breakfast so Boma is out. I have heard its awesome. We have gone to Sanaa for lunch and dinner in the past. Liked it. Haven't gone back cause we like Jiko so much. But maybe we will have to try it again.

I'm going to wait and see what people think about Edison. It just opened so who know how it will be.

We have been to D Luxe burger around here. It was ok. Nothing to write home about.

jim

Boma does dinner too.

 

[patsfan101]

Flying Fish was always my favorite restaurant in Disney, with Jiko a close second. After our trip last February, they flipped. Flying Fish was still good - but I prefer the previous decor and most importantly the food was not as spectacular as our dinners a Jiko. We were staying at AKL (and are this Feb ) so went to Jiko for dinner almost every night. Didn't have ADR's so sat at the bar - it was fantastic.

 

[jimim]

Flying Fish was always my favorite restaurant in Disney, with Jiko a close second. After our trip last February, they flipped. Flying Fish was still good - but I prefer the previous decor and most importantly the food was not as spectacular as our dinners a Jiko. We were staying at AKL (and are this Feb ) so went to Jiko for dinner almost every night. Didn't have ADR's so sat at the bar - it was fantastic.

Ya always good. So consistent. Same with natcoossee. Very very consistent I feel. Before kids was so nice to just plop in and eat at the bars. Lol. Gone are those days. Lol.

 

[officerjudyhopps]

We loved Yak and Yeti. I’m trying the quick service in a few weeks but I’m sure it will be the same.
We also loved Pinocchio Village Hause in Magic Kingdom. We found this by accident and loved it. We ate here 3 dinners last year. It’s quick service.

 

[Linleedo]

Boathouse is excellent. Great food, decor, ambiance, and service. Yum

 

[Leelo]

We loved Flying Fish when we went this past year! Absolutely beautiful decor. Food was great. (We did not go before the remodel so I can't compare a before and after)
Cali Grill is still one of our faves and the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli appetizer is amazing.

Via Napoli has really good pizza! We go there every trip as well.

We really liked Satu'li Canteen in Pandora at AK for lunch. We used to always do Flame Tree but it has now been replaced with Satu'li.

 

[crabbygal902]

We didn't get to Disney this past year. So this coming November will be our first trip back in over a year.

We need 9 nights of dinners. We have 2 kids with us, but that doesn't matter. Their only request is Cindy castle for dinner 1 night. Not the best but they like it and we still enjoy the experience cause we have just done it each trip since having kids.

Our usual standbys are:

1. Paradiso 57 - always the first night for some reason cause we usually meet up with friends here. Any ideas for a replacement for something new downtown?

I am dying to try Rick Bayless' newer place, Frontera Cocina. I love watching him on Top Chef and there must be a reason that he's received all those James Beard awards. If you want something more casual, our standby is Wolfgang Puck Express. It is quite elegant for a counter service and the food and wine selection are very good. I also love the patio seating area, it feels secluded and peaceful. Even though you order at a counter, a waiter brings your food and checks in several times to see if you need something.

2. Yachtsman always
3. Jiko always
4. Flying Fish always - how is it since reopening? Sadly, friends report that it just isn't the same. I am holding onto hope that it was a bad night. However, other reviews aren't great as well.
5. Narcoossee's always

6. Il Mulino last trip for the first time and it was really good. We were surprised.
7. Morimoto was really really good also last trip
8. Trattoria al Forno 2nd time last trip and enjoyed it.

9. California Grill - ok i'm going to get roasted for this but we ate there 2 times trip before kids for 10 years. Then they redid it. Went there as usual and it was horrible. 10 out of 11 people hated it. I have read mixed things since one the years. Worth throwing it back in? This is currently my favorite restaurant on property. However, we don't bother with a full meal and prefer to eat appetizers and have cocktails in the lounge. I think the apps are the best feature on the menu. We get to the restaurant rather early to be seated in the lounge then return later for wine and fireworks in the viewing area outside.

10. Artist Point used to always go there when we stayed at WL but now that we like AKL so much we don't venture over.

11. We don't do a lot of lunch. We r usually back to the rom to swim and chill by then so we can go back in after a nice dinner for the night. But when we do lunch we really like:

1. BOG for lunch only. no t dinner I adore lunch here but have no interest in dinner. The salad nicoise with seared tuna is divine, especially for a counter service meal.
2. Flame Tree has been hit and miss since the reopen. I like it well enough. I prefer to go to Yak and Yeti for their chicken fried rice, which was incredibly inexpensive and tasty the last time we ate there.
3. We really really like the Harambe market Beef and the flatbread
I hear that Satu'li Canteen is another stellar counter service option. It is high on my To Do list. While I've been to the resort several times in the past year for dining and entertainment, I haven't actually been in the parks.

That's about it for lunch.

So Dinner new finds? There seems to be a ton of new places downtown? how are some of them. what do you all like at them? It's not a new find, but it's new to me and not a popular spot for some reason or another...we really enjoyed Tokyo Dining now that we've gotten around to trying it. My sushi was beautifully plated and delicious. I really miss the sushi chef that was at the Contemporary, so I was happy to discover this.

And I suppose you know about Sanaa its famous bread service but maybe you don't know that you can get that bread service in the lounge right beside it, which is small but very nice. It has a great wine list with many South African wines.

I know al the older places in the hotels, so not looking for ideas on those unless they have made a big turn in the bast 2 years or so.

I know food is subjective. But we never thought we would like Trattoria or Paradico but we do. I get the same thing all the time at both places. Same with my wife so maybe that's why. I don't know.

Thanks! Been off the board for a while cause it was depressing reading about everyones upcoming trips and we were home, but that's over now. lol

Happy new year!

Have fun planning!

jimi